Beaches in the Lapta Region

Throughout Lapta, Karşıyaka and Alsancak, there are a fair few beaches you can visit.

Escape Beach - There is little shade but sun loungers and umbrellas are for hire and a large restaurant overlooks the sands. A sand bank connects the islet to the shore and you can paddle across if you wish to. Water sports are available, including jet skis, canoes and pedal boats. There is also a scuba diving school. It can get very busy in the summer, though the eastern end, where jet skis and boats are banned, is much quieter

Deniz Kizi Beach - Set in an attractive horseshoe bay the beach belongs to two hotels, the Deniz Kizi and Deniz Kizi Royal, so it can get very busy and there is a small charge to use the facilities. Just above the beach is a large freshwater swimming pool open to the public. As well as the usual sun loungers. There is a variety of water sports including windsurfing, water skiing and fun rafts for the children. There are several steps down onto the sand so it is not suitable for people with walking difficulties.

Guzelyali Beach - A holiday village has grown up here and dumped plenty of sand to improve the beach, which also goes by the Cypriot name of Guzelyali. The soft sand is very nice but visitors will notice how it quickly turns to shingle and sharp stones if they venture out to sea. Beach shoes are a must for swimmers. There is a restaurant on the beach and there are showers and toilets as well as plenty of sun loungers which will be needed as there is little natural shade. The holiday complex has built a large car park.

Mare Monte Beach - This long stretch of sand belongs to the Mare Monte Hotel beach located about 9km west of Kyrenia. There are all the usual hotel facilities such as bar, shower, sun loungers and so on. It is very popular beach with the locals so the weekends are usually busy. There are a large number of steps to the beach so it's not for those who have difficulty walking. Nearby are the ruins of the 13th century BC port of Lambousa, although most of the ruins lie inside a well–fenced army camp. In 1904, a 7th century treasure of Byzantine gold and silver plate was unearthed – known as the 'Lambousa Treasure' – examples of which can be seen in the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia, the Medieval Museum in Limassol and the British Museum in London.

LA Beach - This beach is named after the 180–room LA Hotel which is located across the beach road near the tiny village of Lapta. The LA is a good sandy beach which, although rather narrow and steeply banked at the back, is a pleasant enough spot and well looked after. There is natural shade along the back of the beach which curves gently around a shallow bay. Along with all the usual beach facilities such as sun loungers, showers, toilets and so on there is a wide selection of water sports.

Camelot Beach - Beyond Alsancak is a small private sandy beach called Camelot. Recent years have brought in developers and what was once a plain and simple beach has turned into something of a beach resort. The shoreline water is very shallow, making it good for families with children. There is the restaurant and a bar, free toilets and sun loungers for hire.

Golden Bay - Only a few steps away, the Mediterranean Sea and the sand tempt you to discover their magic. Here, sea enthusiasts can enjoy the thrill of the most popular water sports. Golden bay beach is part of a five star hotel, so is often greatly populated, although not busy. It has a beach side restaurant to serve you snacks whenever you please.

The Cabin, Fly inn, Rosy’s and Incirli are all quieter free beaches. These all have cafes and provide no water sports so it is often the place to go if you’re looking for a quiet afternoon. They sit directly on the sea front providing a gorgeous breeze even if you’re just going for lunch or a drink. These all run through the Lapta strip so they are in prime location for tourists.